POSTED UNDER IPL Reviews
IPL - Great Results After One Treatment. Here's Why I Didnt Get Burned
UPDATED FROM nikki.ba
10 days post
IPL/Photofacial - On Energy output, post-treatment, collagen stimulation and other useful information
WORTH IT$68
Ive realised that there are some information that might be useful that i forgot to mention in my original post
?1.The first treatment for pigmentation will show the best results. Ive attached a picture found on the internet.
2.?Always wait at least a month between treatments. Give your skin time to heal
3.Concerning energy output. Someone asked me what the energy output was that was used on my skin.
This is an exact qoute from the clinical specialist at Ellipse (manufacturer of mchine used at the clinic) and how he usually treats skin
"For the Rejuvenation (555-950) I work between 8 and 13 J/cm2 on skin types 1 to 4, higher skin type lower energy. The system suggest an energy bases on skin type and degree of suntan. The final energy is decided by the operator based on skin reaction, this will always be case by case since no 2 clients react the same." End of qoute
The 550 - 950 nm the specialist is referring to are the wavelengths used for treating sun damage and collagen production (rejuvenation setting). All wavelengths lower than 550 and higher than 950 nm are filtered out. So the Ellipse machine filters out even more wavelengths depending in the condition you are treating.
Also remember that a too high energy output can also burn skin. But if its too low than you wont see any results. The trick is finding the balance. The technician at the clinic asked me if i was experiencing any extreme pain/discomfort when she "zapped" the first part of my face. The machine doesnt have a cooling tip, so you do feel discomfort, but if I were burning, it would have been unbearably painful.
?4.Concerning collagen stimulation. Ive read that repeated IPL treatments can stimulate collagen. When i look in the mirror now i swear my lines are softer, but technically this seems impossible, because skin cant product that much collagen overnight. Can it? If you look at my forehead in the after photos it does seem lighter as well. The other explanation is that because my skin is lighter the lines might appear lighter. As i continue treatments I will definitely take a closer look at this.
?5.My post treatment experience. Directly after the treatment my skin felt hot (like a pretty bad sunburn). This lasted an hour or so. Where the pigment was broken up my skin appeared darker. The next day my skin felt 100%. I had lots of scab like pigment on top of my skin that came of in about 7 days. Ive attached pictures.
Ok. I hope that covers everything and I havent left anything out
?1.The first treatment for pigmentation will show the best results. Ive attached a picture found on the internet.
2.?Always wait at least a month between treatments. Give your skin time to heal
3.Concerning energy output. Someone asked me what the energy output was that was used on my skin.
This is an exact qoute from the clinical specialist at Ellipse (manufacturer of mchine used at the clinic) and how he usually treats skin
"For the Rejuvenation (555-950) I work between 8 and 13 J/cm2 on skin types 1 to 4, higher skin type lower energy. The system suggest an energy bases on skin type and degree of suntan. The final energy is decided by the operator based on skin reaction, this will always be case by case since no 2 clients react the same." End of qoute
The 550 - 950 nm the specialist is referring to are the wavelengths used for treating sun damage and collagen production (rejuvenation setting). All wavelengths lower than 550 and higher than 950 nm are filtered out. So the Ellipse machine filters out even more wavelengths depending in the condition you are treating.
Also remember that a too high energy output can also burn skin. But if its too low than you wont see any results. The trick is finding the balance. The technician at the clinic asked me if i was experiencing any extreme pain/discomfort when she "zapped" the first part of my face. The machine doesnt have a cooling tip, so you do feel discomfort, but if I were burning, it would have been unbearably painful.
?4.Concerning collagen stimulation. Ive read that repeated IPL treatments can stimulate collagen. When i look in the mirror now i swear my lines are softer, but technically this seems impossible, because skin cant product that much collagen overnight. Can it? If you look at my forehead in the after photos it does seem lighter as well. The other explanation is that because my skin is lighter the lines might appear lighter. As i continue treatments I will definitely take a closer look at this.
?5.My post treatment experience. Directly after the treatment my skin felt hot (like a pretty bad sunburn). This lasted an hour or so. Where the pigment was broken up my skin appeared darker. The next day my skin felt 100%. I had lots of scab like pigment on top of my skin that came of in about 7 days. Ive attached pictures.
Ok. I hope that covers everything and I havent left anything out
nikki.ba's provider
Replies (5)
Where did you have yours done?
DermaClear advanced skin and laser clinic Pretoria East South Africa
You can google it
You can google it
Most informative IPL post I've read. ..thank you!
Youre welcome! Will update soon on the picogenesis laser for pigmentation. Safer and more effective but also more expensive
Excellent, excellent job on your review! This is the kind of review i've been looking for. Very impressive that you did your research, I'm inspired to follow your lead. I now feel more equipped to explore IPL. I was hesitant because i did not know even what questions to ask. I extremely appreciate your follow ups as well. Thank you Sister!! :-)
Youre welcome Valerie. In the meantime ive discovered and even safer and more effective way to get rid of pigment. But also more expensive. The PICOGENESIS. IPL is a first generation tech while picogenesis is first generation. I am happier with the picogenesis and have been using it.
UPDATED FROM nikki.ba
9 days post
IPL/photofacial - Before and After photos after one treatment
I just wanted to update the before and after photos from my first post. These new images were taken 10 days after my first treatment. I've uploaded a few, because its difficult to recreate the correct lighting with a phone camera.
In these photos there are no longer scab like pigment on top of the skin as in my first post.
Please remember to read my original post to gain information on IPL's and why some people walk a way from IPL treatments with damaged/burned skin
Also this treatment cost me 900 ZAR for the whole face, which is below the average of 1300 ZAR.
In these photos there are no longer scab like pigment on top of the skin as in my first post.
Please remember to read my original post to gain information on IPL's and why some people walk a way from IPL treatments with damaged/burned skin
Also this treatment cost me 900 ZAR for the whole face, which is below the average of 1300 ZAR.
Replies (1)
Hi there; looks great!! Couldn't help to notice that you're from Cape Town...where did you have your ipl done?
Hi there!
Im not from cape town. Im from pretoria. I had it done at dermaclear. Just find out which of the laser clinics in cape town has ellipse machines. Rohan is part of the ELLIPSE team in SA. He will be able to tell you which laser clinics have their machines.
Hi there! I am not from cape town but from pretoria...
ORIGINAL POST
For as long as I can remember I have had freckles...
For as long as I can remember I have had freckles on my very fair skin (Fitzpatrick Type I skin). This turned into melasma shortly after going on the birth control pill. I have never been conscious of sun protection and when I reached the age of 29 and saw the state my skin was in, I had decided to reverse the damage and start being sunscreen conscious. For the past year I have been treating sun damage and pigmentation by using topical products and light chemical peels. There was a 70% reduction in pigmentation but the lightening had reached a plateau.
I then started looking at laser and IPL treatments. Laser was too expensive, so I decided to start doing research on IPL. I found lots of horror stories about dermal and epidermal burns and wanted to make sure that I did not suffer this misfortune.
I phoned a clinic at random and asked them what type of machine they use on their clients. The answer was the ELLIPSE SPT. She also assured me that they have never had a burning incident before. I contacted the company who manufactured the machine (in Denmark) and was assisted by a very helpful person who gave me very valuable information on IPL.
I was very satisfied with his explanation (which I will expound on at the end of this post) and went for the treatment. The results were great!!! I have now only about 5% pigment left after one treatment! And the lines next to my eyes and on my forehead also looks a little bit softer. I have attached photos. bear in mind that I still have some scabs on my forehead and one cheek in the after photo. It is the best photo I had when I started to write this review. I couldn't recreate the same light yet.
For everyone out there wanting to know more about IPL and how to avoid burned or damage skin, please read the information below received from the clinical specialist at Ellipse:
An IPL system is a broadband light source (all wavelengths of light included) High energy is applied to the skin and skin cooling is needed (skin cooling tip is used). But Ellipse machines uses narrowband light. Only 25 to 50% of the light, compared to a full IPL system, reaches the skin (Skin cooling is not needed)
The full spectrum of light in an IPL system contains light of harmful wavelengths. Narrowband light machines filter out the longer wavelengths as well as the short wavelengths
The longer the wavelength the deeper the light penetrates the skin. The short wavelengths are equivalent to UV rays
The are 2 main reasons people burn with IPL treatment:
1. Dermal burns - The longer wavelengths that are not filtered out with the full spectrum IPL system are absorbed by the water in the dermis of the skin causing overheating). This is very dangerous because the dermis cannot regenerate itself.
2. Epidermal burns - People with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI absorbed too much light in the epidermis because of high melanin content of their skin. They therefore get burned in top layers of skin. IPL is not recommended for these skin types.
People with lighter skin are good candidates for this type of treatment and will see the best results.
Machines should also have settings where the energy output can be altered. A lower energy output is used on people with darker skin.
The bottom line: Avoid full spectrum IPL systems. If the machine has a cooling tip stay away. Do proper research on the machine that the clinic or doctor is using. Every person’s skin is different and will therefore not react the same. Do a patch test before treating your whole face.
I then started looking at laser and IPL treatments. Laser was too expensive, so I decided to start doing research on IPL. I found lots of horror stories about dermal and epidermal burns and wanted to make sure that I did not suffer this misfortune.
I phoned a clinic at random and asked them what type of machine they use on their clients. The answer was the ELLIPSE SPT. She also assured me that they have never had a burning incident before. I contacted the company who manufactured the machine (in Denmark) and was assisted by a very helpful person who gave me very valuable information on IPL.
I was very satisfied with his explanation (which I will expound on at the end of this post) and went for the treatment. The results were great!!! I have now only about 5% pigment left after one treatment! And the lines next to my eyes and on my forehead also looks a little bit softer. I have attached photos. bear in mind that I still have some scabs on my forehead and one cheek in the after photo. It is the best photo I had when I started to write this review. I couldn't recreate the same light yet.
For everyone out there wanting to know more about IPL and how to avoid burned or damage skin, please read the information below received from the clinical specialist at Ellipse:
An IPL system is a broadband light source (all wavelengths of light included) High energy is applied to the skin and skin cooling is needed (skin cooling tip is used). But Ellipse machines uses narrowband light. Only 25 to 50% of the light, compared to a full IPL system, reaches the skin (Skin cooling is not needed)
The full spectrum of light in an IPL system contains light of harmful wavelengths. Narrowband light machines filter out the longer wavelengths as well as the short wavelengths
The longer the wavelength the deeper the light penetrates the skin. The short wavelengths are equivalent to UV rays
The are 2 main reasons people burn with IPL treatment:
1. Dermal burns - The longer wavelengths that are not filtered out with the full spectrum IPL system are absorbed by the water in the dermis of the skin causing overheating). This is very dangerous because the dermis cannot regenerate itself.
2. Epidermal burns - People with Fitzpatrick skin types V and VI absorbed too much light in the epidermis because of high melanin content of their skin. They therefore get burned in top layers of skin. IPL is not recommended for these skin types.
People with lighter skin are good candidates for this type of treatment and will see the best results.
Machines should also have settings where the energy output can be altered. A lower energy output is used on people with darker skin.
The bottom line: Avoid full spectrum IPL systems. If the machine has a cooling tip stay away. Do proper research on the machine that the clinic or doctor is using. Every person’s skin is different and will therefore not react the same. Do a patch test before treating your whole face.
Replies (5)
Great review and photos. I've been so focused on trying to establish whether IPL can stimulate collagen as well as improve redness etc or not (one clinic insists yes, another I approached said it's impossible), that I hadn't considered ways to avoid actually being left worse off. Thank you for sharing such a high quality review. Do you know what setting/joules were used for you?
Hi BoBecca
Im happy you found this review helpful
Concerning redness in skim
Ive heard it cam help, but since i dont have that problem i cannot really vpuch for it
Concerning collagen stimulation. I've read that this IPL is not as effective at stimulating collagen but that it may stimulate it after repeated treatments. My lines do look softer but i dont know if its only because my skin is lighter. I will go for the treatments again and see what happens. The only lines il be able to capture on photo would be my forehead. They are the deepest(can feel certain parts eith my finger. But unless the lines goes away completely it will still be difficult to capture on a photo. Il do an update on that after ive been for a few treatments.
Concerning energy output
Thats a good question. I know the setting the ELLIPSE SPT was on was nr 11. But not sure what the joules per second were. What i can give you, however is a the exact qoute from the ellipse specialist concerning energy output and what he uses on skin
"For the Rejuvenation (555-950) I work between 8 and 13 J/cm2 on skin types 1 to 4, higher skin type lower energy. The system suggest an energy bases on skin type and degree of suntan. The final energy is decided by the operator based on skin reaction, this will always be case by case since no 2 clients react the same."
The 550 - 950 mm he is referring to is the wavelengths used for sun damage and collagen production (rejuvenation setting). The machine filters out even more wavelengtjs depending in tje condition you are treating.
I am thinking that the girl at the clinic started me off on a high setting but not too high and that when i go next time shel put it a tiny bit higher. The higher the energy output the better the results. So if a clinic starts too low they might be too cautious and you wont see results. But too high and you might burn. So frustrating. Im glad i found the this place and it turned out well for me
Perhaps you can contact Ellipse and ask them about redness in skin. Contact the ellipse company directly from.their website and pretend you are going for a treatment at a clinic who is using their machines but that you want more information.
I domt want to contact him again cos it feels ive already kept him too busy with all my questions.
Im happy you found this review helpful
Concerning redness in skim
Ive heard it cam help, but since i dont have that problem i cannot really vpuch for it
Concerning collagen stimulation. I've read that this IPL is not as effective at stimulating collagen but that it may stimulate it after repeated treatments. My lines do look softer but i dont know if its only because my skin is lighter. I will go for the treatments again and see what happens. The only lines il be able to capture on photo would be my forehead. They are the deepest(can feel certain parts eith my finger. But unless the lines goes away completely it will still be difficult to capture on a photo. Il do an update on that after ive been for a few treatments.
Concerning energy output
Thats a good question. I know the setting the ELLIPSE SPT was on was nr 11. But not sure what the joules per second were. What i can give you, however is a the exact qoute from the ellipse specialist concerning energy output and what he uses on skin
"For the Rejuvenation (555-950) I work between 8 and 13 J/cm2 on skin types 1 to 4, higher skin type lower energy. The system suggest an energy bases on skin type and degree of suntan. The final energy is decided by the operator based on skin reaction, this will always be case by case since no 2 clients react the same."
The 550 - 950 mm he is referring to is the wavelengths used for sun damage and collagen production (rejuvenation setting). The machine filters out even more wavelengtjs depending in tje condition you are treating.
I am thinking that the girl at the clinic started me off on a high setting but not too high and that when i go next time shel put it a tiny bit higher. The higher the energy output the better the results. So if a clinic starts too low they might be too cautious and you wont see results. But too high and you might burn. So frustrating. Im glad i found the this place and it turned out well for me
Perhaps you can contact Ellipse and ask them about redness in skin. Contact the ellipse company directly from.their website and pretend you are going for a treatment at a clinic who is using their machines but that you want more information.
I domt want to contact him again cos it feels ive already kept him too busy with all my questions.
One last thing
Always wait at least a month betweem treatments. Give your skin time to heal. Else you might damage it
Theres actually a lot of information i left out in my main review. Wish i could edit it
Always wait at least a month betweem treatments. Give your skin time to heal. Else you might damage it
Theres actually a lot of information i left out in my main review. Wish i could edit it
You are so smart for doing such a thorough research BEFORE trying out this treatment! The medical tech ( which I love) at the office I go to laughs at me because I will not allow her to do anything to me without researching it first!! It is smart to know and completely understand what procedures are being done on you as you are the one that has to live with the results!! I too am considering IPL and this review has been extremely helpful! Thank you!
Exactly! You have to live with the end results. Medical techs also think im weird for asking so many questions and refusing to buy a product or do a treatment without research. Some cosmetics companies thought i was trying to steal or copy their line because of all the technical questions i was asking and insisting ons seeing the ingredients and them explaining to me why certain things are there which is considered to be harmful to skin
I also did the same in dept research on skincare
I was tired of just trusting sales people and spending money and seeing no results. So I started reading up on it. I dont just buy a product before looking at the ingredients to decide if its worth the money. But this wouldnt have been possible without Paula Begoun. Shes someone in the cosmetic industry with a line of products called Paulas Choice and I trust her completely. She reviews other companies products on a site called beautypedia and also has a skin care ingredient dictionary which makes it possible to really look at each skin care ingredient in a potential product i want to buy. She rates its good or bad or great and backs it up with links to scientific articles.
She also gives so much information on skin care. What works and what doesnt.
Haha. Sorry. I talk alot.
Point is. I have good skin care products and im doing all i can to take care of my skin. Topical products have their limits and im maximising it. I would love to be able to buy her product range but its unfortunately not available in South Africa
I also believe educating yourself is of utmost importance. Especially where your money and face is concerned.
I will look out for your IPL review. Hope it goes well!
I also did the same in dept research on skincare
I was tired of just trusting sales people and spending money and seeing no results. So I started reading up on it. I dont just buy a product before looking at the ingredients to decide if its worth the money. But this wouldnt have been possible without Paula Begoun. Shes someone in the cosmetic industry with a line of products called Paulas Choice and I trust her completely. She reviews other companies products on a site called beautypedia and also has a skin care ingredient dictionary which makes it possible to really look at each skin care ingredient in a potential product i want to buy. She rates its good or bad or great and backs it up with links to scientific articles.
She also gives so much information on skin care. What works and what doesnt.
Haha. Sorry. I talk alot.
Point is. I have good skin care products and im doing all i can to take care of my skin. Topical products have their limits and im maximising it. I would love to be able to buy her product range but its unfortunately not available in South Africa
I also believe educating yourself is of utmost importance. Especially where your money and face is concerned.
I will look out for your IPL review. Hope it goes well!
Thank you! Your post was very helpful and informative!
Youre welcome :-)
Will do an update soon.
Will do an update soon.
Best post I have read so far on IPL thank you so much
Your welcome. :-) Will do an update soon
Thanks for such great information, very important to know
You are welcome. Please see my updates as I have even more detail there.
My mother in law also wenr for the same treatment 2 days ago. I was in the treatment room and i could take a closer look at the machine and see how they did her treatment as well. Was very interesting. I had to wear spcial goggles to protect my eyew from the intense light.
So i found out wat setting 11 meant.
It means 11 J/cm2. Thats what the therapist used on me and my mother in law.
Im glad you found someone you can trust. And let me know how the treatment went for you.
Oh and i went for a chemical peel the other day and the woman who does them commented that my lines next to my eyes looked softer. She said my whole face is softer and smoother. So it think it does stimulate collagen. Shes so impressed she want to go herself. Shes had some people come to her for peels that had ipl burns and have always been too afraid to go. But now shes more confidenr after my technical info and wil also go tonthe same clinic and therapist.